What are you watching?

[Roland Deschain]

I am now officially addicted to Gardener's World, and am just about to watch this week's episode once I make a few more posts.

I now have season 2 of The Killing, which is the US version, and season 2 of Forbrydelsen, the Danish superior original. That's not to say that the US version is bad, as I enjoyed it thoroughly, and think it was one of the best shows to come out of the US in the past few years, but there's something about the Danish version that just screams class. I not only became addicted to the show, but I also fell in love with the characters, and think the lead actress is lovely, especially in that FSM-awful sweater, lol.

What was weird was seeing a few of the main cast of Forbrydelsen in another Danish show called Edderkoppen, a miniseries set a few years after WWII. That is another show i'd recommend acquiring, as it had very good production values, not to mention a great cast and storyline.

[Swatopluk]

Victoria the Great (UK 1938). Rather pleasant. Even humour in it (actually quite a lot). Remarkable old age make-up for the actress in the final scenes. But I guess it froze her face, so she had problems articulating wearing it. As a result she sounded either senile or sedated there. I actually think they should have dropped those scenes (in technicolor) and ended after her decision to return into public view after the first totally secluded years after Albert's death. They made a sequel anyway. Those final scenes, her acepting the title of empress of India and her diamond jubileee, also lacked the life of the b/w main parts of the film. They look totally staged, stilted and uninspired. The final shot juxtaposing the young and the old Victoria and having them nod to each other on the other hand was quite a neat idea.

[Aggie]

What was weird was seeing a few of the main cast of Forbrydelsen in another Danish show called Edderkoppen, a miniseries set a few years after WWII.

It's part of the charm of smaller film industries...  having seen a fair bit of Korean film, it's always a treat to recognize faces in different roles (Lady Vengeance does this intentionally, especially if you're a Dae Jang Geum fan).

[Swatopluk]

The Draughtman's Contract

[Roland Deschain]

It's part of the charm of smaller film industries...  having seen a fair bit of Korean film, it's always a treat to recognize faces in different roles (Lady Vengeance does this intentionally, especially if you're a Dae Jang Geum fan).

I've seen Sympathy for Mr Vengeance and Oldboy, both quite brutal films, but have yet to see the third. I've watched quite a lot of Asian cinema in the past year or so.

I've finished season 2 of The Killing, and it was superb. The script was well-written, and there was a nice little cameo from a certain young lady named Sophie ( ). I hope the same writers come back for a new story and a new season, as they did well here.

I've also started and finished season 2 of Forbrydelsen, which was relatively short at only 10 episodes. Sophie excelled again, as did the chief inspector of the police force who came back. This one had quite a dark yet cheery ending, which made it a wonderful rollercoaster ride of emotions. It was also nice to see one of the main actors from Edderkoppen make an appearance.

I've lined up yet another Danish drama to watch, this one called Borgen. It's meant to be quite good, and has 2 seasons as far as I know, so as soon as I can get my greedy mitts on it, i'll no doubt be devouring it quite quickly.

[Swatopluk]

If you are into Scandinavian stuff and might want to try something lighthearted, you may give Astrópía a try.

Just noted someone loaded it up (with English subtitles) to youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j72vf3vK3Zc

[Roland Deschain]

The film looks good from that rather brief synopsis. I have another Icelandic film lined up to watch called Jitters (Órói). Looks ok, but just need to fit it into my viewing schedule like many others. I have a long list of European films to watch at the moment.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

Slumdog Millionaire, finally.

[Swatopluk]

I somehow get the impression that almost all Icelandic films that get abroad are either mildly depressing or silly (not that sillyness is a vice per se)
----

Rukajärven tie

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

Zack and Miri make a porno (the last 'classic' Kevin Smith film)

[Swatopluk]

I almost took a look on that one but then set other priorities

[Darlica]

I somehow get the impression that almost all Icelandic films that get abroad are either mildly depressing or silly (not that sillyness is a vice per se)
----

Rukajärven tie

This is a very good but very depressing film IMHO.

[Roland Deschain]

Ah, some more decent films to watch. I shall add them to the rather long list.

Zack and Miri is definitely a good film, and i'd recommend it to all here who haven't indulged in it yet. Jason Mewes plays his role well, as do all of the cast. Again, highly recommended.

I've begun season 3 of Forbrydelsen, which is to be the last, apparently. Sophie is back with her sweaters, and is a few years older than the last time. The story is a little darker, I think, but it plays on the tried and tested formula so successfully done in the previous two seasons. A must see. Now to wait for episodes 5 and 6 appearing on the iPlayer tonight!

[Swatopluk]

Unfortunately I cannot get my DVD of Talvisota (Winter War) to run. It was difficult enough to get the 3hours+ version (most editions run only 2 hours, which I am not willing to accept). No idea, whether I would have been able to cope with Swedish subtitles.

As far as Finnish movies go, the crown goes to Valkoinen Peura (The White Reindeer)(1952).

[Roland Deschain]

...It was difficult enough to get the 3hours+ version (most editions run only 2 hours, which I am not willing to accept)...

That's me as well with films. I was going to get the original Dragon Tattoo trilogy of films until I found out there were much longer versions made for TV, and the films were basically cut versions of them. They'll take some getting through, for sure.